Welcome to my stitchery blog.
I would like to think that whilst you are here with me you enjoy my whimsical world of sewing and all things vintage.
I adore treasure hunting for old fabrics, buttons, threads and stitchery goods ... One mans rubbish is another's treasure. Creating is in my soul and I hope that comes across within these pages.
I love creating, nature and herbal teas ... Cinnamon being my new favourite!
So why not stay a while and join me on this journey of creativity.

Monday, 18 November 2013

Jane Austen clothing ........ smocking

Good Morning

As you all know my love of embroidery and hand stitching is boundless! I will be doing some courses next year to improve my skills and learn more stitches.

The love of history goes hand in hand with what I do, as my love of vintage shows you. Times gone by produced beautiful fabrics and workmanship that today has been sadly dying out, except I believe is making a revival....... The young people who love vintage because it is in vogue want to learn how to do things!!

Jane Austen era (Regency) I adore the ladies clothing. It was flattering and was more free than fashions before. The stitch work on the fabrics was stunning. One being smocking, which does take skill.

Smocking has several stitches and with that produces different patterns. It makes the garment stretchy ( before elastic) and it also makes it beautiful.

The stitches used are:-

1. Cable stitch

2. Stem stitch

3. Outline stitch

4. Cable flowerette

5. Wave Stitch

6. Honeycomb stitch

7. Surface honeycomb stitch

8. Trellis stitch

9. Vandyke stitch

10. Bullion stitch

Smocking refers to work done before a garment is made up. Traditional hand smocking begins with marking dots in a grid pattern on the wrong side of the fabric and gathering it with temporary running stitch. These stitches are anchored on each end in a manner that facilitates later removal and are basting stitches. Then a row of cable stitching stabilizes the top and bottom of the smocking.

Smocking.

Jane Austen 1775 - 1817

Although not a lot of smocking on this, it is beautiful.

Example of honeycomb stitch on a 18thC gown.

Quote of the day.

Her needlework both plain and ornamental was excellent, and she might have put a sewing machine to shame!

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About Me

I have started a business called Homespun Stitchworks. I make things out of vintage fabrics and linens and add mother of pearl carved antique buttons and embroidery! I will feature my work on this blog ... I hope you enjoy it.